NASA's Artemis II Crew to Splash Down on April 10, 2026
Originally: How will NASA get the Artemis II crew safely back on Earth? Here's the science behind splashdown
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NASA's Artemis II mission crew is set to splash down on April 10, 2026, in the Orion spacecraft after a lunar flyby. The spacecraft will reenter Earth's atmosphere at speeds exceeding the speed of sound, generating temperatures around 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit (1,500 degrees Celsius). NASA has refined the Orion's heat shield and trajectory following lessons learned from the uncrewed Artemis I mission. Splashdowns, a common return method for astronauts, utilize parachutes and water to cushion landings, with the goal of achieving a safe descent velocity of about 80 feet per second (24 meters per second). The successful return of the Artemis II crew will mark another significant milestone in NASA's lunar exploration efforts.
Key Takeaways
- • The Artemis II mission crew will splash down on April 10, 2026.
- • The Orion spacecraft will reenter the atmosphere at speeds over the speed of sound, reaching temperatures of approximately 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit.
- • NASA has updated the Orion's heat shield and trajectory based on findings from the Artemis I mission.
- • Splashdowns utilize parachutes and water to reduce landing impact, aiming for a descent speed of 80 feet per second.
- • The Artemis II mission is part of NASA's ongoing efforts to advance lunar exploration.
Why This Matters
The Artemis II mission represents a critical step in NASA's Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon and eventually support missions to Mars. The advancements in splashdown technology and safety protocols are essential for the future of human spaceflight, especially as more private companies and international agencies engage in space exploration.
This summary was generated by AI from original reporting by PBS NewsHour. Always verify important details with the original source.
